Imperialism8

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The Debate Over American Imperialism #8
Historical Context:

The final decades of the nineteenth century saw a mad scramble as the powerful, and aspiring powerful, nations of the world attempted to gain control of areas in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere in order to build and consolidate their empires. This outbreak of colonialism found its origins in the industrial nations securing raw materials for their factories and captive markets for their manufactured goods. Often the colonies would be sought for military reasons. The coal-fired navies of these nations required bases from which they could easily refuel. The strategic location of these bases around the globe meant that they could protect their far-flung empires more easily. Just the act of possessing colonies became a source of bragging rights for nations who were seeing a rise in nationalism at home. Obtaining and controlling vast colonial empires was a source of pride. The British claimed, with great pride, that “the sun never sets on Great Britain.” Ironically, this period was soon to be followed by a rise in nationalism among these same colonial peoples. During most of the 1800s, the United States ignored much of this activity and it was fought out almost entirely by European nations. We were busy conquering our own continent and spreading across the Great Plains to California and the Pacific Ocean. Colonial expansion held little interest until our own sense of nationalism began to be awakened in the late 1890s. Ironically, our interest in colonial empire grew out of a desire to champion anti-colonialism and an interest in helping Cuba free itself from Spanish colonial rule. It ended with the United States in the possession of a colonial empire herself. The Spanish-American War, over quickly with few casualties, gained Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. But from the war’s end in August 1898 until the Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris in February 1899 annexing these lands, a debate raged over whether or not a nation born in revolt against colonialism should itself become a ruler of colonies. This debate did not end with the ratification of the treaty but became even more impassioned when the Filipinos took up arms against American colonial occupation troops beginning two years of bloody struggle. As is often the case, this domestic quarrel over imperialism became a major political issue influencing the presidential election of 1900.

Task:

Consider why people objected to or supported America’s imperialism. Some felt it was immoral to rule over other peoples while others felt it was immoral to shirk our duty of assisting the less privileged of the world. Was imperialism a proper policy for the United States to follow in the context of the 19th Century?

Directions:

Read the documents to arrive at an understanding of the task above. Analyze the content to determine how you might use the document to complete the task.
Complete Part A short answers.
Write a well organized essay that includes an introduction with a thesis (main idea) statement, several paragraphs explaining the thesis, and a conclusion.
Use a majority of the documents.
Do not simply repeat what the documents say. Explain how it supports your thesis.
Include specific related additional information from your study of social studies.

Part A
Short Answer: The following documents relate to why people objected to and supported America’s policy of imperialism. Examine each document carefully and then answer the question(s) which follow it. Incomplete sentences or phrases may be used to answer the question, but DO NOT use one word answers.
Part B
Essay: Complete the TASK in a well organized essay. Consider why people objected to or supported America’s imperialism. Some felt it was immoral to rule over other peoples while others felt it was immoral to shirk our duty of assisting the less privileged of the world. Was imperialism a proper policy for the United States to follow in the context of the 19th Century? In your essay refer to A MAJORITY of the documents you analyzed in Part A. Include additional specific, relevant information from your study of social studies.

Part A

Document 1

More than a decade before the Spanish-American War, Rev. Josiah Strong, a prominent Protestant clergyman, wrote Our Country, a book that became both popular and influential. This passage is taken from Strong’s book and advocates imperialism as a policy of the United States.

What do the Anglo-Saxons possess that makes them qualified as “the fittest?” _______________
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What action or events is he referring to when he mentions moving down on Mexico, Central and South America? ________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(2)

What does Strong mean when he mentions “survival of the fittest?” Explain. ________________
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Document 2

Another American proponent of imperialism was a top U.S. Navy officer, Alfred T. Mahan. Mahan’s views were well known and popular with many. This excerpt comes from a book he wrote shortly before the Spanish-American War, entitled The Interest of American Sea Power (1897).
What three reasons does Mahan give for imperialism? __________________________________
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To what is Mahan referring when he cites “the growing production?”______________________
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Realizing that Mahan is a naval officer, why is he concerned about our position between two great oceans and two Old Worlds? _________________________________________________
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Document 3

The initial decision to annex the Philippines was made by President McKinley. In the following excerpt he explains why he recommended annexation to the U.S. Senate. He was speaking to a group of religious leaders.

To whom is McKinley addressing his remarks?________________________________________
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What does Strong state that would agree with these sentiments?” _________________________
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What is ironic about McKinley’s desire to Christianize this former Spanish colony? __________
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Document 4

U.S. Senator George F. Hoar represented Massachusetts in Congress from 1869 to his death in 1904. He was a major opponent of imperialism. The following is from a speech by Senator Hoar in January 1899 in opposition to the treaty annexing the Philippines.

To what two historic American documents does Hoar refer? _____________________________
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What does the Declaration of Independence say that supports Hoar? _______________________
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Document 5

Henry Cabot Lodge, a Republican senator from Massachusetts, supported imperialism. This is a speech made by Lodge in 1900 in support of the policy of imperialism.
To whom, specifically, do you think Lodge is addressing his remarks? Why do you think this? __ ______________________________________________________________________________
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Who do you think he means when he compares the Filipinos to others “who in a few years will be...unwilling to leave the shelter of the American flag?” ________________________________
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Document 6

The prospect of the United States becoming an imperialistic nation galvanized a strong opposition, and many opponents rallied around the newly created Anti-Imperialist League. The following are some excerpts from the Anti-Imperialist League’s platform which was adopted during the 1900 presidential campaign.

What do the Anti-Imperialists fear if we pursue the policy of imperialism?__________________
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What are they referencing when they say that all men “are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”__________________________________________________________________
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From where does the phrase that “governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed” come? _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(1)

Part B

The question we need to answer is:

TIPS

In writing your essay be certain that you clearly state your thesis whether this was or was not a legitimate policy for the United States. Remember how people felt at this time period and try to think as they did not as you might feel today at the beginning of the 21st Century. Each paragraph and each piece of evidence should support your thesis. Try to use or refer to specific portions of the documents that support your statement.

In an essay it is good to acknowledge the opposition views and state what arguments might be put forward to contradict them. Again use quotes or refer to the documents that would support your opinion on this.